[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of neuromyelitis optic spectrum diseases in the russian population]

Sex ratio and age of onset in AQP4 antibody-associated NMOSD: a review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an antibody-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. We have undertaken a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the sex ratio and mean age of onset for AQP4 antibody associated NMOSD. We have also explored factors that impact on these demographic data.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Articles reporting sex distribution and age of onset for AQP4 antibody-associated NMSOD were reviewed. An initially inclusive approach involving exploration with regression meta-analysis was followed by an analysis of just AQP4 antibody positive cases.

RESULTS

A total of 528 articles were screened to yield 89 articles covering 19,415 individuals from 88 population samples. The female:male sex ratio was significantly influenced by the proportion of AQP4 antibody positive cases in the samples studied (p < 0.001). For AQP4 antibody-positive cases the overall estimate of the sex ratio was 8.89 (95% CI 7.78-10.15). For paediatric populations the estimate was 5.68 (95% CI 4.01-8.03) and for late-onset cases, it was 5.48 (95% CI 4.10-7.33). The mean age of onset was significantly associated with the mean life expectancy of the population sampled (p < 0.001). The mean age of onset for AQP4 antibody-positive cases in long-lived populations was 41.7 years versus 33.3 years in the remainder.

CONCLUSIONS

The female:male sex ratio and the mean age of onset of AQP4 antibody-associated NMOSD are significantly higher than MS. The sex ratio increases with the proportion of cases that are positive for AQP4 antibodies and the mean age of onset increases with population life expectancy.

[Typical and atypical optic neuritis]

Optic neuritis (ON) is one of the most common neuro-ophthalmic causes of vision loss worldwide. Demyelinating ON can be idiopathic or be one of the symptoms of autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Demographic, clinical and radiological signs of ON in these CNS diseases have differences. In this regard, typical and atypical ON are currently distinguished. Recognizing the clinical features that differentiate typical MS-associated ON from atypical ON in NMOSD and MOGAD is important for choosing the correct disease management and treatment strategy. This review summarizes the data from clinical, laboratory, instrumental methods of management used for the differential diagnosis of optic neuritis.